Flowers in bloom

Crocuses in bloom

The weather has gone very warm ... up to 19 degrees. But the sky remains cloudy and dark. At times it seemed it would rain ... but nothing happened. Most of the almond trees have blossomed and so are the Judas trees. Other early Spring flowers are also in bloom especially crocuses. They usually open a day before it rains and is known as the rain forecaster. Anemones are also in bloom. They are those lovely red flowers that spring up in the wilderness and sidewalks.

And as the weather warms ... so does the violence. They seem to go hand-in-hand. Yesterday I mentioned the arab leaders in Gaza and the Israeli army leaders have both sounded out the imminence of a war. Today the Israeli Defense Minister contradicted them and said no war is in sight. At the same time the Israeli Navy leaders claim it's on high alert because Hamas' marine warfare has reached a very sophisticated level that poses a major threat to Israel.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israels-Navy-concerned-about-increased-Hamas-threat-under-the-water-540727

And WHO has announced that Gaza will run out of fuel in 10 days ... the crisis will erupt into violence since the people have nothing else to lose.  http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/WHO-official-Without-supplements-Gaza-to-run-out-of-fuel-within-ten-days-540742

Re-paving New Gate

We'll just try to stay out of trouble's way. It's easier in the western part of the City but we here in the eastern part are right in the heart of any violence or clashes. Let's hope for the best that nothing happens. Meantime life goes on ... and I saw the road works - actually re-pavement - at New Gate are almost complete. The workers have begun paving the final stage of the road, i.e. several meters inside New Gate, under the gate and several metres outside the Gate where it reaches the light rail tracks. It will look very nice until the cars and trucks start to enter and destroy everything. I give it 2 weeks ... before the stones get broken and potholes begin to appear. Everyone here thinks so too.